What size torque wrench?

Doryman · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:15 am Post subject: What size torque wrench?

Sears has their Craftsman torque wrenches on sale. 3/8 and 1/2 in 25-250, 10-75, and 20-150 Microtorq. Which one should I get? (This would be for the Honda and Yamaha outboards, trailer, etc.)

Thanks,
Warren

Plan C · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 12:54 pm Post subject:

Hi Warren

How long is the sale and do you know any prices?

I find I most use the 20-150 ft/# wrench. I just bought a cheap new one to replace the previous cheap one which failed, and the cheap new one was even cheaper but has failed already. Fortunately it failed at 135 ft/# which is my truck's wheel lug torque. So I'll keep it.

Maybe time to upgrade!

Dave

teflonmom · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 4:59 pm Post subject: What size torque wrench

The 20 to 150 pound sounds good. Life is too short to work with cheap tools.

BrentB · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject:

I have a 1/2" one

thataway · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:30 pm Post subject:

I have several, but the one I used the most is a 1/2". I also carry adaptors both up and down, but the 3/8 is not big enough for some jobs.

Doryman · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:16 pm Post subject:

BrentB · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:45 pm Post subject:

That is a good buy
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Auto+%26+Mechanics+Tools_Torque+Wrenches?psid=47161648&sid=ISx20070515x00001a&OVMTC=Exact&site=&creative=3514269415&OVKEY=torque%20wrench

digger · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:18 am Post subject:

The 1/2 drive is the 20-150 ft-# range.

journey on · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:21 pm Post subject:

The correct torque wrench to get for an outboard motor is the 3/8 in wrench with the smallest range, for 2 reasons:

1. The specified torque values for a Honda outboard range from 1.8 lbf-ft to 81 lbf-ft, as shown in the shop manual. You can see that the minimum range for a click torque wrench are all too high. I bought a SEARS 3/8 beam torque wrench, which goes down to ~5 ft-lbs. Cheap and can't get out of calibration. There are a few higher torque values, but those are for rebuilding the engine. ~50% of the torque values are less than 20 ft-lbs .

2. Outboards are small and tightly packed. 1/2" drive is just too big. I couldn't get a 1/2 drive socket on the lower drive unit when I rebuilt the water pump, for instance.

So for outboards, get a Craftsman Model# Model# 44690, 0-75 ft-lb, beam torque wrench for $25. If you need higher torque, Craftsman Model# 44642 , 1/2" for $30. Nothing to break or get out of calibration and made in the USA

Boris

thataway · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 6:56 pm Post subject:

Good point Larry,
I use my 1/2" for the trailer and bigger jobs. I have two micro and one beam--the beam is 3/8 as Larry suggests and does the job very well.

Socrateur · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 8:47 pm Post subject:

Correction: The Microtork mentioned above as 25 - 250 torque range has a minimum setting of 25 in-lbs, not 25 ft-lbs. This equates to about 2 ft-lbs, so that makes it a good option for low range needs. Made in USA.

localboy · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject:

I use the 3/8 for nearly all engine work on my VWs. My Craftsman 3/8 goes from 20-150 ft/lbs and seems to cover any range I need. The 1/2 comes in handy for lug nuts on alloy wheels etc but it's too large for engine work etc IMO.

matt_unique · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 8:23 am Post subject: Torque

Larry makes a good point indeed. I went with the 3/8" torque wrench. It just barely fits when tightening some of the lower unit bolts on my Suzuki engines for example. The max torque I have needed thus far (by far) has been 60 ft/lbs.

BrentB · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:01 am Post subject:

I have one 1/2" Sears Craftsman beam type torque wrench purchased over 20 years ago when Sears had a major catalog tool sale every year in the winter. Mine also has a lifetime guarantee and don't think the new ones have it. I have several adapters like 1/2" to 3/8" and extensions, and the wrench came with a booklet with an in/lb to ft/lb. Now I need to check the range for each! Thanks for update.